Saturday, January 24, 2009

OK....some of you know and some of you don't...that I have been sick for 4 wks. I am not sure what is going on. I am fine...just wanting to feel better. I woke up the Sunday before Christmas with the normal cold...running nose, sneezing, sore throught, etc. Well, I was sick with all of that during that week. Then, I THOUGHT I was better...but not really. The congestion never really went away and I felt like I had no energy at all...so finally I go to the Dr. He gives me the Z Pack....that doesn't work so he gives me something else and it doesn't work. So back this past Tuesday I go...my cough is worse and worse and NO ENERGY! Well, he tells me the last time, which was 2 wks. earlier I had bronchitis (which they never told me) and suspected I could have had pneumonia...which they never told me...so here I am just a walking around thinking I have a common cold and I will be better quick. Well, I still have bronchitus and on more meds. (3 at the present time...so I am a little loopy!) They wanted chest x-rays and all was clear. So...I am not sure what the deal is...just that they want me to go to an allergist and I do not have allergies. My sister in law works with Drs. who do the test and she doesn't see that I have the symptoms nor do I!! But I am asking you to PRAY PRAY PRAY!!! I am just wanting to do the right thing. I feel good for a while and then all of sudden I feel like I cannot move and there is tightness in my chest. It is even a strain to talk and do things. But I have found out this is common for Bronchitus. The Dr. also mentioned mono...I am just not sure. I am praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and if there is anything I can do that I will know to do it!

I also believe the Lord is trying to get me to prioritize my life better, say no, and to stop doing so much. So needless to say...AG and I have dropped several things off of our weekly to do list. I felt it was a must. I have had more time at home...thinking, praying, organizing and reorganizing our lives. I want to declutter (not just things in my house, but things in my life that consume my time that lead to nowhere!) I am on a journey and I had better make the most of it or I may never get to where God wants me. I have to pick and choose what I feel is important and leads to the destiny that God has marked for me and my family. Think about Moses and the children of Israel...they were detoured and Moses never made it to The Promised Land, but that was because of His own choices. God has the ultimate plan in place and I just have to obey each LITTLE step of the way if I am going to get there. In our Church Mission Statement...it says..."the journey is just as important as the destination we seek to reach!" That is soooo true. It is not just the end that has the rewards, but all the little choices I make in between!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Today AG played hookie from school (taking after her mother and Ms. ARhonda) and J played hookie from work. He had actually planned to take the day off as well as tomorrow because he was not able to take the full two weeks he usually gets at Christmas. Soo...we decided to chase snow...We drove and we found snow up past Asheville...the closer we got to the Tennessee line the thicker it got and the harder it fell to the ground....then all of a sudden it was just barely coming down and there were just patches on the ground. This was not cool after we had been in about 4 inches worth of snow. It was sooo much fun and AG just loved it...we stopped and let her play for a few minutes..but it did not last long since we have all been sick and I am still battling this old stuff. I was thinking...we were sooo excited to get to the snow and it was GREAT...but it really did nothing for me. It had no eternal value...it was just amazing to see GOd's beautiful creation....I began to think about how often I chase after everything, but God for satisfaction.....What is it that we daily RUN for because we cannot wait to see it, get it, buy it, talk to it, etc.? What is it that drives us? Is it things or people around us? What gets us all crazy and we will do silly things for it? For me, one thing that drives me is a GOOD DEAL...I love to buy something for nearly nothing...and I usually succeed. It really gets my adrenaline kicking...I must say that Amy did beat me out with a dirt cheap sportscoat for Todd and she called to brag!!! But....these things are well and good....but what happens when something crazy comes along? We cannot go running to that GOOD DEAL or CHASING SNOW to give us the hope that we need. We have to run to Jesus. How do we respond in uncertain times, when our faith is being shaken? Are we really running to Jesus or are we depending on others to pull us through?I remember a few years ago...I came home from work on a Friday afternoon...I was not married and still living at home...no one was home, which was very strange with a 6 person house. Well, I was bored...I had made no plans and I thought I had to have something to do (there's always something to do with that many people in a house, I did not know what to do with myself)...well, I went through my entire cell phone contact list and called anyone I could to talk to....most everyone did not answer or could not talk long. I remember I was on and off within 15 minutes TOTAL! I finally realized that I was feeling the need to talk to someone...I was feeling lonely...but that was only God drawing me to Him. He longed to spend time with me and I was searching in all the wrong places. Where are we looking for that encouraging word, that laugh, that compliment? God is all we need! Why keep searching? I encourage you....as Matthew 7:24 talks about..build your house upon the rock...the SOLID ROCK OF JESUS CHRIST and you will lack no more...you will not move when the storms come your way...you will remain strong. But if you build your house on the sand...you will crumble and fall. OH...just a thought...for me it is my expectations that get in the way. What I expect of myself and others..Do all you can today to build that solid foundation in your life and for you family!!! Instill that value into your children and know that they watch each and every move you make...even more than you realize!!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

I was thinking tonight as I was cutting out the Shepherd's staffs and some characteristics of God for Children's Church in the morning...(a little behind with the holidays, so working last minute on a Sat. night, not so fun!)....

I know in the last few weeks I have let sooo many people down. I am human and I cannot be all things to all people at all times. That is sooo hard because I am a fixer and a doer...I have so many people surrounding me who are facing many issues. I have to realize that I am not the source of everyone's strenght, guidance, healing, comfort, guide, etc. I am only a channel through which the Loving Father flows. It is He who decides the outcome and at which time that should take place. I have to accept that no matter how compelled I feel to help the outcome ...Anyway, as I was cutting out the Shepherd's staffs for in the morning (the children are going to paste things that God are to them....the idea was for them to come up with them but since there are a large number of younger children this was a better option.) I was reflecting all that God had been to me...He has been my Alpha and Omega, my Redeemer, my Savior, Healer, Protector, Guide, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, on and on and on..... I was amazed. No matter what you may be facing at this current moment..reflect back and look at all the things the Lord has blessed you with and what all He has done for you...You are the apple of His eye...Just think..He loved us enough to lay down HIS LIFE for us...are we willing to lay down OUR LIVES for Him? Are we willing to give up some things to make more room for Him? To follow what God has called you to do? I know that in the upcoming year I need to lay aside some things so that I can focus more on what the Father has called me to!! I hope and pray that each one of us can look back this time a year from now and say that we are closer now that we were before...our relationship with the Most High has grown by leaps and bounds. The choice is ours...sometimes we wonder how in the world can God show us anything else..but it amazes me...He is forever revealing Himself to me and making our relationship fresh and new all over again and taking me to new heights and levels in which I did not even know was possible!! WOW! What a God!

About Me

My name is Amanda and I am one blessed woman! I have been married to Jason for 8 years. We have 2 children: Anna Grace is 7 and Noah is 3 1/2. I am a Children's Minister and a Homeschooling Mom. I never thought I would homeschool, but through much prayer and seeking God, we knew this was HIS plan and I had better get on board! We are now homeschooling 2nd grade where she is apart of Classical Conversations and we love it. Noah is currently homeschooling with us as a preschooler and is involved with most everything that we do....and of course, Daddy is at work during most of our schooling. He does a lot of nature, science and history things with the kids when he is home. He is such a wonderful husband and father! We are truely blessed!